Summer Vacation: RPI hockey's Marrello preparing for financial future

Senior to be working on skills on the ice while working at banking position

By Sean Martin

Published
8:03 pm EDT, Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Troy

Though it might have taken a few days to stop tugging at his tie, Jake Marrello eventually settled into the corporate setting that came with his internship at a local bank as the soon-to-be senior readies for his final year and beyond at RPI while also competing for the Engineers hockey team.

The Business and Management major is currently focusing on a possible career in government banking and is spending a portion of his summer preparing for his post-college life while also spending plenty of time working out on the Troy campus and skating in Clifton Park.

"I'm an intern at M&T Bank, part of government banking, in downtown Albany," Marrello said. "That started June 3rd. It's been great. It has been flexible obviously with working out and skating. I've learned a lot. It is something that relates to my major as well."

Marrello joked about the office setting being just a bit different from his familiar confines of the hockey rink, where players often spend time chirping at opponents.

"The shirt and tie was weird the first few days, definitely more comfortable after a few days," Marrello said. "There isn't much talking going on. It is different. It's a good experience. Playing sports your whole life and then going to work and sitting in an office is a culture shock but I enjoy it."

RPI's Jake Marrello takes a shot on the goal as the hockey team faced off against Cornell Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at RPI's Houston Field House in Troy, NY. Photo by Eric Jenks, for the Times Union

RPI's Jake Marrello takes a shot on the goal as the hockey team faced off against Cornell Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at RPI's Houston Field House in Troy, NY. Photo by Eric Jenks, for the Times Union

Photo: Eric Jenks

Photo: Eric Jenks

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RPI's Jake Marrello takes a shot on the goal as the hockey team faced off against Cornell Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at RPI's Houston Field House in Troy, NY. Photo by Eric Jenks, for the Times Union

RPI's Jake Marrello takes a shot on the goal as the hockey team faced off against Cornell Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at RPI's Houston Field House in Troy, NY. Photo by Eric Jenks, for the Times Union

Photo: Eric Jenks

Summer Vacation: RPI hockey's Marrello preparing for financial future

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Marrello logs 24 hours a week at the bank – the internship lasts right up until the Engineers report to school in early August — and devotes much of his remaining time to working on his hockey game.

Living in the area makes it easy for Marrello to access the training facilities.

"Being from the area, an advantage is being able to go to RPI and work out with the trainers," Marrello said. "That is a huge advantage. I've made a lot of improvements in the weight room for four years now."

Finding ice time isn't a problem for Marrello as he trains with area coach Ron Kuhl at the Hockey Hut facility in Clifton Park.

Marrello says he goes way back with Kuhl and is friends with Kuhl's son Cameron, a former standout at Shenendehowa who redshirted last year at Plattsburgh State.

"Hockey-wise, I skate three times a week in the mornings, I skate with Ron Kuhl, his son Cam is my age," Marrello said. "He's been my coach, really, my whole life, I grew up in youth hockey and I skate with him and a group of college guys at the Hockey Hut."

The workouts on the ice aren't quite like midseason practices but offer a good chance to work on technique.

"On the ice, it is not as intense as in practice, it is more skill work," Marrello said. "You are working hard at getting better but it's more like individual skill work whereas practice during the year is more battle drills, more intense and physical. The summer is a good time to sharpen up on your skills."

Marrello, who has played 83 games for RPI in his three seasons and became a big part of the Engineers' special teams last season, is looking forward to getting his senior year started.

"I'm having a good summer. It is flying by," Marrello said. "I'm excited to get back to school."

Sean Martin, a local freelance writer, is a frequent contributor to the Times Union